Tektronix TriMode P7520A User manual

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x
P7520A
TriMode™ Probe
ZZZ
Instruction Manual
*P071304800*
071-3048-00

P7520A
TriMode™ Probe
ZZZ
Instruction Manual
xx
www.tektronix.com
071-3048-00

Copyright © Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its subsidiaries or suppliers, and are
protected by national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supersedes that in all
previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
EZ-Probe is a registered trademark of Cascade Microtech, Inc.
TriMode is a trademark of Tektronix, Inc.
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14150 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
In North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
Worldwide, visit www.tektronix.com to find contacts in your area.

Warranty
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of
shipment. If any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will repair the defective
product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product. Parts, modules and
replacement products used by Tektronix for warranty work may be new or reconditioned to like new performance. All replaced
parts, modules and products become the property of Tektronix.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the warranty period
and make suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for packaging and shipping the
defective product to the service center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid. Tektronix shall pay for the return of the
product to Customer if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall
be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties, taxes, and any other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate maintenance and
care. Tektronix shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting from attempts by personnel
other than Tektronix representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage resulting from improper use or
connection to incompatible equipment; c) to repair any damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or
d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated with other products when the effect of such modification or integration
increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX' RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS
IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX
AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES.
[W2 – 15AUG04]

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
General safety summary .............................................................................................................. iii
Environmental Considerations ........................................................................................................ v
Preface................................................................................................................................. vi
Documentation ...................................................................................................................vi
Key Features........................................................................................................................... 1
Operating Considerations ............................................................................................................. 2
Installation.............................................................................................................................. 3
Connecting to the Host Instrument . ......... .. ............. .. ......... .. .. ......... .. ......... .... ........... .. .. ......... .. .... 3
Connecting Accessories to the Probe Body ........ .... ........... .. .. ........... .... ......... .. ............. .. ......... .... ... 5
Control Box Controls and Indicators............................................................................................. 6
Connecting to Your Circuit....................................................................................................... 8
Functional Check and Calibration..................................................................................................... 9
Functional Check.................................................................................................................9
TriMode Probe Calibration...................................................................................................... 12
Basic Operation....................................................................................................................... 16
Maximizing P7520A Signal Bandwidth ......... .. ......... .. .. ......... ......... .. ......... ......... .. .. ......... ......... .. ... 16
Connecting to a Circuit Board .................................................................................................. 17
Connecting the Probe to Instruments without a TekConnect Interface . ......... .... ........... .... ......... .. ......... .. .. .. 26
Accessories and Options............................................................................................................. 27
Standard Accessories........................................................................................................... 27
Optional Accessories ........................................................................................................... 30
Options .......................................................................................................................... 34
Theory of Operation .................................................................................................................. 35
Attenuation and Input Mode Settings.... .. .. ......... .. ............. .. ......... .. .. ......... .. ......... .... ........... .. .. ..... 35
Input Voltage Limits ............................................................................................................. 37
TriMode Operation .............................................................................................................. 40
Probing Techniques to Maximize Signal Fidelity.. ......... .. ......... .... .. ......... .. .. ......... .. ......... .... ........... .. . 42
Input Impedance and Probe Loading.. .. ......... ......... .... ..... .. .. ......... ......... .. ......... ......... ......... .. .. ..... 49
Specifications.........................................................................................................................51
Warranted Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 51
Typical Characteristics..........................................................................................................52
Nominal Characteristics......................................................................................................... 55
Tip Specifications ............................................................................................................... 56
Service ................................................................................................................................ 70
Host Instrument Firmware ...................................................................................................... 70
Error Conditions.................................................................................................................70
Replaceable Parts............................................................................................................... 72
Handling the Probe.............................................................................................................. 86
Cleaning the Probe.............................................................................................................. 87
Returning the Probe for Servicing.............................................................................................. 88
Index
P7520A Probe Instruction Manual i

Table of Contents
ii P7520A Probe Instruction Manual

General safety summary
General safety summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this product or any products connected to it.
To avoid potential hazards, use this product only as specified.
Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures.
To avoid fire or personal injury
Connect and disconnect properly. Connect the probe output to the measurement instrument before connecting the
probe to the circuit under test. Connect the probe reference lead to the circuit under test before connecting the probe
input. Disconnect the probe input and the probe reference lead from the circuit under test before disconnecting the probe
from the measurement instrument.
Observe all terminal ratings. To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all ratings and markings on the product. Consult the
product manual for further ratings information before making connections to the product.
Do not apply a potential to any terminal, including the common terminal, that exceeds the maximum rating of that terminal.
Do not operate without covers. Do not operate this product with covers or panels removed.
Do not operate with suspected failures. If you suspect that there is damage to this product, have it inspected by
qualified service personnel.
Avoid exposed circuitry. Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present.
Do not operate in wet/damp conditions.
Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere.
Keep product surfaces clean and dry.
P7520A Probe Instruction Manual iii

General safety summary
Termsinthismanual
These terms may appear in this manual:
WARNING. Warning statements identify conditions or practices that could result in injury or loss of life.
CAUTION. Caution statements identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to this product or other property.
Symbols and terms on the product
These terms may appear on the product:
DANGER indicates an injury hazard immediately accessible as you read the marking.
WARNING indicates an injury hazard not immediately accessible as you read the marking.
CAUTION indicates a hazard to property including the product.
The following symbol(s) may appear on the product:
iv P7520A Probe Instruction Manual

Environmental Considerations
Environmental Considerations
This section provides information about the environmental impact of the product.
Product End-of-Life Handling
Observe the following guidelines when recycling an instrument or component:
Equipment Recycling. Production of this equipment required the extraction and use of natural resources. The
equipment may contain substances that could be harmful to the environment or human health if improperly handled at the
product’s end of life. In order to avoid release of such substances into the environment and to reduce the use of natural
resources, we encourage you to recycle this product in an appropriate system that will ensure that most of the materials are
reused or recycled appropriately.
The symbol shown below indicates that this product complies with the European Union’s requirements according to Directive
2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). For information about recycling options, check the
Support/Service section of the Tektronix Web site (www.tektronix.com).
Restriction of hazardous substances
This product is classified as an industrial monitoring and control instrument accessory, and is not required to comply with the
substance restrictions of the recast RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU until July 22, 2017.
P7520A Probe Instruction Manual v

Preface
Preface
This manual describes the installation and operation of the P7520A TriMode Probe. Basic probe concepts, specifications,
and maintenance procedures are included in this manual. You can also access the Tektronix Web site for this manual
(www.tektronix.com/manuals).
Documentation
To read about Use these documents
Installation and operation Read this instruction manual for information about how to use your probe.
Specifications Read the Specifications section in this manual.
Reordering accessories Use the Accessories and Options section or refer to the insert in your
accessory kit when reordering accessories.
vi P7520A Probe Instruction Manual

Key Features
Key Features
The P7520A TriMode Probe allows you to take differential, single-ended, and common mode measurements with one probe
connection. Key features include:
Revolutionary TriMode operation
TekConnect interface
Bandwidth (typical)
>25 GHz in A – B mode with optional
P75PST solder tip @ 100 GS/s
>20 GHz in A – B mode with standard
P75TLRST solder tip
Rise time (10-90%)
<20psinA–Bmodewithoptional
P75PST solder tip @ 100 GS/s
<27 ps in A – B mode with standard
P75TLRST solder tip
(<29 ps in other modes)
100 kΩdifferential input resistance,
50 kΩper side
P7520A Probe Instruction Manual 1

Operating Considerations
Operating Considerations
Table 1: P7520A TriMode Probe Characteristics
Characteristic Description Specification
Input voltage Dynamic range
Input voltage range
(DC + peak AC, both ranges;
input referenced to ground)
±0.625 V (5X)
±1.60 V (12.5X)
+3.7 V, –2.0 V
Temperature Operating
Nonoperating
0to+40°C(+32°Fto+104°F)
-20°Cto+71°C(-4°Fto+160°F)
Humidity Operating
Nonoperating
Up to +40 °C (+104 °F) 20%-80% RH
+30 °C to +46 °C (+86 °F to +115 °F) 0-90% RH
Pollution
degree
2, Indoor use only
CAUTION. To avoid ESD damage to the probe, always use an antistatic wrist strap (provided with your probe), and work at a
static-approved workstation when you handle the probe.
2P7520A Probe Instruction Manual

Installation
Installation
The P7520A probe is capable of measuring signals in excess of 25 GHz bandwidth. However, maximum performance is
only available when the probe is used with a P75PST probe tip and an oscilloscope with the TekConnect interface and at
least 25 GHz bandwidth.
NOTE. Your TekConnect instrument may require a firmware upgrade to support full functionality of the P7520A probe.
Before you connect the probe, check the version requirements. (See page 70, Host Instrument Firmware.)
When the probe is connected to compatible ≥25 GHz bandwidth oscilloscopes, probe characteristic data is transferred to
the oscilloscope and is stored for future use on all channels. The data transfer time typically takes a few minutes, and is
only done the first time the connection is made. Oscilloscopes with bandwidths lower than 25 GHz will not transfer the
data, and the system bandwidth will be limited.
Connecting to the Host Instrument
1. Slide the probe into the TekConnect
receptacle. The probe clicks into place
when fully engaged.
2. Turn the thumbscrew clockwise
(finger-tight only) to secure the probe to
the instrument.
CAUTION. Do not tighten the thumbscrew
beyond finger-tight. Over-torquing can result
in performance degradation.
3. To disconnect, turn the thumbscrew
counter-clockwise.
4. Press the latch release button and pull
the probe away from the instrument.
P7520A Probe Instruction Manual 3

Installation
Probe Power-On
After the initial connection to the
oscilloscope is made:
1. The probe briefly lights all LEDs during
a self-test, and then one Range and one
Mode LED remain lit.
2. If applicable, the probe transfers data
to the host instrument, and a message
displays on the instrument as the transfer
occurs.
3. The data transfer takes a few minutes,
and is only done when the host
instrument discovers a new probe. The
data transfer only occurs on instruments
that are fully compatible with the probe.
4. The host instrument displays the Probe
Tip Selection screen. The default
selection is Other Tip (no DSP).
5. Select the tip you are using and click OK.
The tip selection that you make here is
retained until you change it. The Probe
Tip Selection screen does not appear
again at power-on; you must access it
through the Probe Setup screen. (See
Figure 1 on page 6.)
4P7520A Probe Instruction Manual

Installation
Connecting Accessories to the Probe Body
CAUTION. The probe has replaceable contacts inside the probe body connector that may stick to the accessory connector
when it is disconnected. To prevent damage to the probe, before you connect accessories to the probe body, always
check that the contacts are located in the probe body only.
The probe body and tip cable ends are keyed
to ensure correct installation. Connect them
as follows:
1. Orient the probe body with the A and B
inputs on top, as shown.
2. Align the tip cable lead with the red band
to the A input.
3. Grasp the cable connector by hand and
push the cable into the probe body until
you feel a click. The cable housing is
fully seated when it is flush with the edge
of the probe body.
4. To remove the tip, pull the cable tab
straight out from the probe body.
CAUTION.Pull only on the cable tab when
removing the tip. You may damage the tip or
probe if you pull on the cables.
P7520A Probe Instruction Manual 5

Installation
Control Box Controls and Indicators
Atten. Button and LEDs
After the probe is connected, the host
instrument automatically selects the
attenuation (voltage range) of the probe,
depending on the instrument volts/div setting.
You must change the attenuation autoselect
feature on the instrument to enable the
Atten. button on the probe:
1. In the oscilloscope menu bar, select
Vertical and then select Probe Setup.
2. From the Probe Setup or Probe Controls
screen, change the Range selection
from Auto to Manual. (See Figure 1
on page 6.) You can also change the
attenuation setting from these screens.
3. With the instrument in Manual Range
mode, press the Atten. button on
the probe to toggle the attenuation
setting between 5X and 12.5X. The
corresponding LED lights to indicate the
selected attenuation.
Figure 1: Probe Setup and Probe Controls screens
6P7520A Probe Instruction Manual

Installation
Input Mode Button and LEDs
Press the Input Mode button to select one of
the four TriMode measurements. The modes
cycle in the following sequence:
A – B (for differential signal
measurement)
A – GND (for A input single-ended
measurement)
B – GND (for B input single-ended
measurement)
(A + B)/2 – GND (for common mode
measurement)
NOTE. Some oscilloscope models only
allow the A – B Input Mode to be selected,
depending on which input tip is selected in
the oscilloscope Probe Setup screen. (See
page 71, Input Mode/Probe Tip Selection.)
The following pages discuss characteristics
of the TriMode measurements.
TriMode Probing
The TriMode feature allows you to view
two single-ended signals and the resultant
differential waveform and common-mode
voltage without moving the probe connection.
Press the Input Mode button to cycle through
the waveform views.
This example shows a typical HDMI signal
(one half-lane) on the A and B inputs.
The resultant differential waveform and
common-mode voltage are shown.
P7520A Probe Instruction Manual 7